US, China Mayors Meet To Eradicate Climate Change

A major climate summit will happen in Boston in 2017, with cities being front and center on the world stage. Urban leaders from the United States and China are willing to go hand in hand to help eradicate the effects of climate change - addressing an issue that the world has long been struggling from.

Why am I traveling to China? Read the full @CompactofMayors story on why #climatechange is so vital to address: https://t.co/KGqDmLDRHl

— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) June 2, 2016

According to Boston Globe, Secretary of State John F. Kerry announced from Beijing this year that cities like Boston are "in the eye of the climate change storm." His speech served as the capstone of the climate summit that has brought the mayors and other urban leaders from more than 60 cities in the United States and China.

Kerry also said that the 2017 conference will give Boston the opportunity to become a global leader in the battle against climate change, with some 2,000 officials and urban leaders expected to attend. "Boston is a coastal city that understands the threat of rising sea levels and extreme weather," Kerry said. "It has already taken extreme steps in order to reduce emissions and mitigate the harmful effects of climate change."

Huffington Post also noted that this year, for the second time in a row, Boston ranked as the most energy efficient city in the US, which is why it intends to lead the country in its preparation for the impacts of this global phenomenon through its innovative, data-driven approach to identifying climate resiliency strategies. Recognized for its groundbreaking "Greenovate Boston" initiative at the climate talks last year, Boston is set on bringing together support for a community-driven action against climate change to achieve its citywide goals.

Hosting next year's summit offers a great opportunity for mayors from the US and China to shared and develop ideas and solutions while ensuring that these cities contribute to the global effort to curb the effects, and tackle the threats brought about by climate change.